(MENAFN) Japanese authorities on Friday authorized the resumption of the world’s largest nuclear power facility, marking the first such action since the 2011 Fukushima catastrophe, according to a news agency.

The approval pertains to Reactor No. 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power station, which is slated to restart in March 2026 following consent from Niigata prefectural governor Hideyo Hanazumi.

This 8.2-gigawatt plant, comprising seven reactors, has remained inactive since 2012 after the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown caused by a tsunami. The Japanese administration backs the revival, highlighting nuclear energy as a “stable and carbon-free energy source.”

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) referred to the decision as a crucial foundation for its operations, emphasizing that it would enhance earnings that could help compensate individuals affected by the Fukushima incident.

The governor is set to consult the local assembly, which is scheduled to start its monthly session on Dec. 2. Should the assembly approve the plan, the national government will be informed that all local procedures have been fulfilled.

A report from February by the prefecture’s technical committee concluded that the plant shows no safety concerns after an extensive safety assessment.

At present, only Reactor No. 6 has been readied for operation, with nuclear fuel already installed. If the process advances without complications, it is expected to be functional by the end of March 2026.

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